Between the Covers

Hardcover. First edition. A fairly worn, but presentable, good only copy lacking the dustwrapper. This copy Inscribed by the author in pencil: “For Larry and Jean very gratefully Jim Thompson 2-20-46.” Larry and Jean Perrine, were friends of Thompson, during his time in California. They are both mentioned in the acknowledgment of Robert Polito's illuminating 1995 Thompson biography, *Savage Art*. Books signed by Thompson are rare. We have sold three other books signed by Thompson in the past 35 years, and of those, two were considerably later paperback titles. The only other inscribed hardcover was another copy of this title inscribed about 10 months after this one, thus making this the earliest inscribed Thompson book we have seen. To put it in context, we have handled more books signed by either J.D. Salinger or Thomas Pynchon than we have of Thompson. A superb copy of an exceptionally uncommon book, the second of only three hardcover novels published during the hardboiled author’s lifetime.

Item #76419

Status: On Hold